Shoe inner sole



July 1o, 192s. 1,677,105

B. J. SILVER \sHoE INNER SOLE.

Eiled Nov. 25, 1924 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented July 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SHOE INNER SOLE.

Application tiled November 25, 1924. Serial Ne. 752,185.

This invention relates to improvements in shoe inner soles, and While, of course, the 1nvention is dlrected to improvements 1n shoes as a whole, it is mbre specifically directed to the permanent inner sole Whichis scientifically made to conform in shape to a normal foot base as regards the longitudinal as well as the metatarsal arch.

An object of the invention is to provide a shoe sole which is not only corrective but which serves to maintain a good foot in a normal state and to do away altogether with arch supporters and commercial props of. various kinds which are in common use, which are more or less unscientific and detrimental to the general welfare of the user, and to make a shoe which will be scientific from an orthopedic standpoint.

My improved inner sole is made entirely of leather, consisting of a plurality of layers according to size and height of arch required. the heel part being cut to conform to the shape of the foot and sunk into the heel of the shoe. The longitudinal arches of the inner sole are preferably made to conform to the lowest average height of an arch belonr which level it would be considered an abnormality. Furthermore, the arches may be such as to meet the requirements of persons of low arch such as found to be a racial characteristic as in the case of Hebrews and Negroes. Furthermore, the inner sole embodies a novel construction whereby the shape or surface contour is maintained yet sufficient flexibility allowed for comfort and ease in walking.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings l Figure 1 is a view Ain longitudinal section through a shoe, showing my improved inner' sole in operative position therein;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the inner sole removed;

Figure 3 isan inverted plan view of the inner sole;

Figure 4 is an exaggerated view in transverse section on the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an exaggerated view in trans verse section on the line 5 5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a View in elevation of one of the additional sections which may be used in connection with the inner sole to raise the longitudinal arch, or both longitudinal and metatarsal arches;

Figure 7 is an exaggerated fra mentary View in section on the line 7 7 of igure 3.

A represents a shoe of any ordinary construction, as it is to be understood that my invention is applicable to boots or shoes of any style such as commonly manufactured. 2 represents my improved inner sole, and 1tis Vto be distinctly understood that this inner sole forms a permanent part of the shoe and is in no sense aremovable insole. In other words, my improved inner sole is to take the place of the ordinary inner sole with which shoes are now equipped, and the inner sole may be secured within the shoe inthe man ner ordinarily employed for the purpose; My improved inner sole is made preferably of leather or of such other material as will give the necessary strength durability and flexibility, as well as of any one piece of appropriate material for the purpose, and principle involved.

In constructing the inner sole, I provide a sheet 3 of leather which is of the roper size to fit the shoe and which is shapedJwhile wet against the under face of a scientifically and accurately shaped foot mold and allowed to dry while' in this position. By this manner of construction, the upper surface of the inner sole will absolutely and correctly conform to the proper contour or shape of the bottom of a normal foot and will therefore have a longitudinal arch 4, a metatarsal arch 1 and a slight elevation 5 anteriorly of the metatarsal arch 1 and a heel cup 6. Laterally the sheet will curve upwardly to conform to the inner side of the arch, as indicated at 7, and in every respect will take the proper scientific contour of Va normal foot.

To maintain the upper sheet of the insole in this scientific shape, a pluralit ,of supporting sections 8, in any desire number, are located under the intermediate portion and therefore under the longitudinal arch extending `to a point forward beneath the metatarsal arch, and form a permanent part of the inner sole. These su porting sections comprise thicknesses of leat er which before attachment to the inner sole are shaped while wet and 'allowed to dry.

,In assembling, cement or other similar adhesive 9, as indicated in Figure 7, is interposed between the supporting sections 8 and between the same and the upper sheet 3 so that when this cement dries it will assist in maintaining the arts in proper shape. The upper surface o? the sheet 3 is (preferably covered by shellac 10, as illustrate in an exaggerated manner in Figure 7, or any other chemical substance that will prevent moisture from being absorbed.

The inner, upper lateral edge 7, becomin thicker as it rounds the longitudinal arc beneath, gives added strength and protection and effectively maintains permanently a diagonal pressure effect, thereby restoring as well as maintaining a normal contour or bony relationship, also inducing a slight inversion of the foot, aiming for a curative effect as well as a great andV positive protection, and is thereforefrscientifically accurate.

The elevation 5 anterior to the metatarsal arch is formed by securing sections 11, 12 and 13 of leather to the under side of sheet 3, the sections 12 and 13 being at the sides and rear of the section 11 so that the upper face of sheet 3 is given the proper curvature or elevation. This improvement prevents concavities from forming which otherwise allow and encourage the breaking down of the metatarsal arch. It is to be understood that all of these supporting sectiions are smoothed or finished to give the desired results. Such a construction will prevent any callous formation beneath the metatarsal arch.

It is, of course, needless for me to point out the advantages of the scientific reasons for providing within a shoe an inner sole having a surface which perfectly conforms to the normal foot, and my invention while it does this does something more in that I provide an inner sole which is so constructed as to maintain this shape and yet allow for all normal movements of the foot with comfort and without strain. This construction therefore of the inner sole, whereinthe shape of the upper sheet is first formed and then maintaind b reason of the construction above described, constitutesV an important part of my invent-ion asI am thus enabled to form such an inner sole which will maintain itself in its original shape, until worn out. e

When the inner sole is desired for corrective purposes or for any other reason it may be desired to build up the longitudinal arch, the inner solo may be provided with openings 14 to receive pins or dowels 15 on additional sections 17 which will fit the inner sole and which will provide a raised portion or enlargement of the longitudinal arch or -of both the longitudinal and metatarsal arches without varying the proper contour. It is of course to be understood that these sections 17 may be made of increasing width and thickness at the most vital part of the arch or arches so that the proper height may be selected to meet the exigencies and give the maximum accommodation and diagonal pressure against the longitudinal inner arch and at the same time extend over the metatarsal arch, when neededsufiieiently to maintain the proportion of the bony relationship when any one part is altered, as might also be the case with a pathologic high arch. Sections 17 may be also permanently adhered or cemented to the upper surface of the shoe sole.

My device is scientific because it is made to fit over corrected plaster cast models approximating very closely theI normal eon tour of the foot. An important factor is thatit gives pressure diagonally against the sustenaculum-tali thereby restoring effectively the inner lateral arch and the inner longitudinal plantar arch which results in adduction of the fore part of the foot, inducing an even distribution of body weight over the entire foot and only secoudarily a Flight, upward pressure which is the result of having restored largely a normal approximation of the relationship of the bones of the foot primarily. It will surely prevent inward rotation of ankle structure, tilting of heel bone inwardly, doing away with weak ankles, prevent foot strain, weak feet and general mechanical disturbances. Furthermore, by preventing and overcoming foot strain it will tend to greatly reduce perspiration of the foot by natural processes.

While I illustrate the mechanism for the right foot it is of course to be understood that the invention applies to the accommodation of the left foot as well, the shape being exactly reversed.

While I have illustrated what I believe to be a preferred embodiment of my invention` it is obvious that various slight changes and alterations may be made in the general form of the parts described withoutl departing from my invention. and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself at liberty to make such slight changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

- A shoe for preventing or correcting foot abnormalities comprising a permanent integral insole having an upper surface conforming to the sole of a low average normal foot and of such material and construction as to be wholly rigid from the heel to the ball line and maintain itself in its original shape, a member extending under thc longitudinal and metatarsal arches and lcontacting throughout with the upper surface of the insole for increasing the elevation of those parts to prevent or correct abnormalities of the foot, and means to removably secure the member to the insole at its desired position.

BENJAMIN JOSEPH SILVER.

IIU 

